Angelina Jolie Pitt guest professor at London School of Economics

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Special Envoy Angelina Jolie (Reuters)

Angelina Jolie Pitt will be a guest professor at the London School of Economics, as part of a new master's course run by the school's Centre for Women, Peace and Security.

Ms Jolie will be joined by Lord William Hague, with whom she co-founded a global initiative against sexual violence in conflict zones in 2012, following her 2011 film, In the Land of Blood and Honey, on the Bosnian war.

The film was set against the backdrop of war from 1992 to 1995, in which an estimated 20,000 women were believed to have been raped.

The pair will be "professors in practice" from 2017, the university announced on Monday (local time). They will give lectures, participate in workshops and conduct their own research.

"It is vital we broaden the discussion on how to advance women's rights and end impunity for crimes that disproportionately affect women, such as sexual violence in conflict," said Ms Jolie.

"I am looking forward to teaching and to learning from the students, as well as to sharing my own experiences of working alongside governments and the United Nations."

The course intends to develop strategies to promote "women's economic, social and political participation and security".

The course runs for one year, and students can apply from this autumn.